The massively impressive Darksiders 2 will see its first proper DLC release next week, arriving on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 September 25, THQ has revealed.

The new content comes with two new frozen dungeons, boss battles and plenty of loot, for those of you out there who didn't get enough of all three of those components in the main game as is. If you pre-ordered the game, you'll likely already have a code for the content, but if you didn't, you'll still be able to pick it up for just under AUD$10.

We scored the game a whopping 9.5/10 citing its setting, combat and RPG elements as standout features.

The game actually releases this month (stay tuned for our review), but ahead of said release, THQ and Vigil have revealed that Darksiders II will also offer a few extras to keep you glued beyond the main adventure (which we've been told should clock in at around 30-odd hours of play time).

Namely, a New Game Plus option, which will allow you to play through the campaign again, only retaining your upgrades, gear and level and an Arena mode called "Crucible" are on offer, with Crucible rewarding persistent players who can make it through to wave 100 "the greatest prizes" in the game (read: Legendary Loot).

We'll have a lot more on Darksiders II for you soon, so stay tuned.

With less than a month to go until the game's launch, and after a raft of cinematics, developer diaries and a live action short, THQ and Vigil games have released a trailer for Darksiders 2: Death Lives that actually focuses on the in-game visuals and gameplay action.

Additionally, we also have the modest minimum and recommended specs for the PC version, which note a 2Ghz Intel C2D CPU or AMD equivalent, 2GB of Ram and a Nvidia 9800 GT 512MB or AMD equivalent as the baseline, and Any Quad-core AMD or Intel CPU, 2GB of Ram and a Nvidia GTX 260 512MB or AMD equivalent video card as the recommended system. All PC installs of the game will require and use Steam as DRM.

Check out the "Death Comes for us All" gameplay trailer below, or click here for the HD video page.

Darksiders 2 lands in Australia on August 16th 2012 for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

A new player-character and storyline aren't the only things Vigil Games is bringing to the table in their upcoming Darksiders sequel, and the latest behind the scenes trailer offers a good look at one of the more significant new additions: loot and character and item customisation.

Loot might seem like an odd fit for the very Zelda-inspired Darksiders, but the video describes how the Vigil team are implementing it in a way that seems like it just might work. The clip also goes into depth on the various ways that players can customise the abilities and appearance of Death throughout the game.

Watch the trailer below or click here for the HD option.

Darksiders 2 is due on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on August 16th 2012, with a Wii U version to follow in Nintendo's yet-to-be-specified launch window.

One day only! THQ has revealed that today being Friday the 13th and all, means they need to celebrate Death and his adventure in Darksiders II with a one day only pre-order deal that will see anyone ordering the game through ShopTHQ on any platform, also receiving a free PC copy of the original Darksiders.

The pre-existing pre-order specials also remain and include:

• Xbox 360 & PC Box: Darksiders II Season Pass – Day 60 and 90 DLC
  
• PlayStation 3: Saints Row 2 PS3 disc at no extra charge
  
• PC Download: Darksiders II Season Pass and Metro 2033 PC Download at no extra charge

Darksiders II is due to arrive on all three platforms this August, with a Wii U version coming at its launch later in the year.

THQ has today announced the pre-order incentives of their THQ store for the next hit in the apocalypse series, Darksider 2. While some gamers are still keen on boxed copies, those looking for a digital pre-order might consider the THQ store, where copies are given the second and third DLC for free, plus an upgrade to the limited edition.

The Darksiders II Season Pass will entitle customers who pre-order the game via the shopTHQ to download the 2nd and 3rd DLC packs when they become available at no cost. All pre-orders will also automatically be upgraded to the Limited Edition version of the game which includes the first DLC drop, Argul’s Tomb. These DLC packs will include significant new single player content. The first drop, Argul’s Tomb, will become available roughly one month after the game ships.

On top of the DLC content packs users who pre-order via the shopTHQ will also receive a code to unlock the exclusive Maker’s Armor and Scythe set. Featuring upgraded stats and a unique design this will help players make a start on Death’s quest.

Also on offer is a free copy of Metro 2033 for anyone who purchases the PC digital version through the THQ store. You can find all the copies available for purchase over at the store page, including PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 copies.

THQ has released an all-new live-action trailer as we draw ever-closer to Death's quest to redeem his brother, War, in Darksiders II.

Aside from great production values, a decent amount of CG and one heck of a lot of monsters, today's video also features Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont (played by James Cosmo) who reads a passage more would likely be familiar with from this song than its source material. But I digress.

Watch the trailer in edited form embedded below, or click here to catch the uncut version on the official Darksiders Facebook page.

Yesterday we reported that new THQ core games boss, Jason Rubin, had said in an interview with The Verge that he thought he could get the Darksiders team "to make other very interesting games". Today, after many of his quotes regarding much of THQ's current development and publishing model were splattered around the net, Jason Rubin has fired back via the official Darksiders forums to reiterate his and THQ's commitment to the much-loved franchise.

"The quote implied that I am not enthusiastically behind the Darksiders universe," he wrote on the forums. "And that THQ has made decisions not to continue the Darksiders franchise. This is simply untrue.

"My quote was intended in the context of having different teams within this incredibly talented studio work on new original IP," he added. "As well as continuing to support the Darksiders franchise.

"I enjoyed the original game when it came out, and one of my first tweets as President of THQ was "Best part of my new job at THQ? When the Darksiders II playable suddenly drops on my desk... @thq"," the new boss concluded. "Since that tweet I have been playing a lot of Darksiders II and it is far better than the first. I'm incredibly excited about Vigil and the Darksiders franchise. Keep your eyes peeled on Monday for an awesome new trailer that brings the world to life in a way you haven’t seen before!"

So good news then. Now, if only he could re-clarify his comments about Saints Row: The Third we could all go about breathing a sigh of relief that no one is going to take our purple dildos away from us as weapons.

THQ and Vigil Games have released another new cinematic trailer for the upcoming Darksiders 2. The new clip -- which is a continuation of the Death Strikes video -- features yet more of Darksiders II protagonist Death, tearing it up on his pale horse and taking on some kind of giant stone golem.

Hit play on the embed below for some hot scythe on stone action.

Following news of a delay to help polish the game further, THQ and Vigil only offered "August" as a release window for Darksiders 2, but today the publisher has revealed we'll be able to don Death's mask in search of vengeance from August 14 on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

"We look forward to launching Darksiders [2] beginning on August 14 in North America," said Brian Farrell, THQ CEO during an investor's call overnight. "We have made significant changes to our business, and are on track to execute our strategy of delivering quality connected core gaming experiences."

We'll be seeing more of the game in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more.

For Darksiders fans, today's new trailer from Vigil shows off a lot more of the game-world while also revealing some tasty story snippets from the anticipated sequel, including one nugget from creator Joe Madureira, that really sums up the basic goal of Death, War's brother, throughout the adventure.

If you're keen on simply waiting for the game to reach retail so as not to spoil the experience for yourself, you should probably avoid this video. Though, as Vigil has pointed out often, Darksiders II is an absolutely massive game, so there's a pretty good chance we're seeing less than 1% of everything on offer here.

Watch the trailer embedded below, or click here for a direct link.

Darksiders II is due to arrive on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this August.

Say what you want about delays, but there has to be a moment when developers working on a product breathe a collective sigh of relief when they're granted more time.

This appears to be the case with the hotly anticipated Darksiders 2 from Vigil Games, which was originally slated to be hitting retail shelves for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on June 29. The new date pushes it back to some time in August for "polish and bug fixing".

"This is great news for the team at Vigil, because it allows additional time for polish and to ensure that all aspects of Darksiders II meet the high-quality bar the team is targeting," stated a post on the newly crafted Darksiders 2 website.

"In game development, more time is always a good thing for quality and the Vigil team is dedicated to providing the definitive Darksiders experience."

The post comes packaged with a candid Q&A from fans that shuts down any relation to the recent Vigil layoffs or development of the Wii U version as far as the delay is concerned.

Provided this extra time works in favour of the final product, a little more than a month is definitely something most fans should be able to deal with.

THQ has upped the pre-order incentive for Darksiders II, sequel to the critically acclaimed Darksiders from Vigil Games, by offering anyone who does pre-order the game on any of its launch platforms - PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 - a complimentary upgrade to content found in the Limited Edition release.

The Darksiders II Limited Edition will include the standard retail game along with a unique code allowing the purchaser the opportunity to download the game’s first single player downloadable content pack, Argul’s Tomb for free once it becomes available. All pre-orders of Darksiders II will receive the Limited Edition version of the game at no additional cost.

Obviously you'll still need to get the Limited Edition retail release to secure all the goodies that go along with it, but it's nice to know no one will miss out on the extra gaming content regardless of the version you buy.

Darksiders II is shaping up to be one of the top action-adventure experiences of 2012, as detailed in both our most recent preview and a video interview AusGamers produced.

Look for the game on the aforementioned platforms June 26, and on the Wii U as a launch title later in the year.

THQ's Darksiders II joins the pre-order DLC bonus club, with news today pre-orders at EB, JB Hi-Fi or GAME will net you with different content depending on the store you put your early order down at.

Here's what each store will offer:

• EB Games: Players who pre-order the game from EB Games will receive the ‘Death Rides’ pack. Featuring multiple exclusive side-quests, this pack allows the most fearless adventurers to explore more of the Maker’s Realm and Dead Plains and earn additional experience and loot. Aid an ancient Construct, battle The Bloodless and retrieve Karn’s lost treasure in around two hours of unique game play content.
  Click here for a look at the Death Rides pack.
  
• JB Hi-Fi: Pre-order the game from JB HiFi to unlock the ‘Angel of Death’ pack. Give yourself an edge with a unique set of enhanced armor with an angel inspired design as well as a pair of upgraded matching scythes and a exclusive visual trail for your companion crow Dust.
  Click here for a look at the Angel of Death pack.
  
• GAME: People who pre-order the game from Game will get to ride into battle with increased speed thanks to the ‘Deadly Despair’ pack. This unique pre-order offer adds an additional speed boost for Death’s trusty steed Despair, allowing players to travel across the vast world even faster than before. This perk is a permanent increase that will last throughout the game.
  Click here for a look at the Deadly Despair pack.

Darksiders II is due to arrive on PS3, PC and Xbox 360 June 26 and is looking mighty fine in its current form. For anyone who's missed it, you can check out our in-depth preview of the sequel here, as well as watch (or read) our interview with the game's lead designer, Haydn Dalton, right here.

Kicking off the year with more video interviews and exclusive access, today we have our promised Darksiders II developer interview with the game's lead designer, Haydn Dalton.

Apart from revealing the man behind the death-mask (me!), Haydn reveals a lot about what's gone into the game from a combat balance perspective, especially with the new RPG elements, and also talks about boss battles being more like puzzles than actual straight-forward combat. He also talks about the team wearing their hearts on their sleeves, but that their biggest inspiration for Darksiders II was actually the original Darksiders.

Click here for our full video interview feature, complete with written transcript.

In one of our forthcoming interviews with the guys at Vigil we manage to learn of a potential Darksiders comic-book series in a not-so-throw-away response to the no-brainer question of "Will Darksiders ever become a comic, because it's a no-brainer?".

Prior to anything official beyond a slip of the tongue though, the team at Vigil and THQ have revealed that Darksiders II will ship with an original novel set in the Darksiders universe called "Darksiders: The Abomination Vault", penned by Ari Marmell whose previous works include Wizards of the Coast's Magic: The Gathering, among much more. The book will ship the same date the game is released (currently ony "June, 2012").

In DARKSIDERS: THE ABOMINATION VAULT, the Horsemen of the Apocalypse (beings charged with maintaining the balance between the forces of Heaven and Hell) have uncovered a plot to resurrect ancient weapons of unimaginable power. Death, with the help of his compatriot War, must track down and neutralize the mysterious individuals behind the scheme before the entire universe is plunged into a devastating conflict.

For more on the hotly anticipated Darksiders II check out our recent preview of the game, and be sure to stay tuned for the aforementioned interview, coming soon.

Last week AusGamers was living it up in rainy old San Francisco where we were invited to check out the latest happenings in the world of Darksiders II, now known as Darksiders II: Death Lives.

We've been talking this game up a fair bit since its unveiling last year, a lot of which has to do with just how awesome the original Darksiders was, but more because upstart developer, Vigil Games, continue to outdo themselves with every piece of media we see for Darksiders II, and the event they invited us to attend really left us wanting more.

Check out our full preview of Darksiders II: Death Lives.

THQ have released a new promotional video for Darksiders 2, offering another glimpse at their upcoming action adventure sequel -- once again under construction by comic book veteran Joe Madureira and his studio Vigil Games.

Darksiders 2 introduces a new protagonist, the oldest of the four horsemen brothers, Death and today's behind the scenes style video features the Vigil crew describing some of the many ways that he differs from the red-rider War in the first game.

See for yourself below or click here for the HD video page.

Darksiders 2 is due in 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Considering we've already had a decent look at Darksiders 2 gameplay, we're not sure why months later, THQ have reverted to the cinematic teaser form of trailer, but that's what we have for you today -- a new, very brief CG clip featuring the game's star character: Death.

Darksiders II follows the exploits of DEATH, one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, in a weaving tale that runs parallel to the events in the original Darksiders game. This epic journey propels DEATH through various light and dark realms as he tries to redeem his brother WAR, the horseman who was blamed for prematurely starting the Apocalypse in Darksiders.

Watch the embedded clip below or open the HD video page.

It's not terribly exciting, but let's hope this means THQ is going to share more details about the game very soon. You can find out most of what we do already know in this developer interview from a few months back.

While out at the recent Tokyo Game Show, AusGamers had a chance to catch up with Vigil Games' Daniel Isaace who serves as creative director on Darksiders 2, a game we're very, very excited about here.

The interview touches on all four of the apocalyptic horsemen, as well as looking at what the team learnt from the first game to apply here. We talk a little about PC, which will be a day and date release with other platforms for the game, Wii-U and the salvation of the human race at the bony hands of an entity named Death. Won't someone think of the children?!

Click here for the full interview feature.